Threaded truss foundations and related systems, methods and machines

Abstract

A screw anchor for a trussed foundation system to support single-axis trackers and other structures and related methods of driving such a screw anchor into underlying ground. A hollowed tube of uniform diameter is open at both ends with a thread form beginning at one end and circumscribing a portion the tube, the thread form having a tapered lead-in. The open-ended geometry allows a mandrel or rock drill to be inserted and operated through the anchor during driving to expedite the driving process. The tapered thread form provides a lead-in for driving the anchor into a rock bore.

1 . A screw anchor formed by the steps of:
 forming a hollow, open-ended tube of steel having a substantially uniform inside diameter;   attaching an external thread form beginning at a first end of the tube and terminating at a point along the tube's length; and   attaching a driving coupler at a second, opposing, end of the tube, wherein the external thread form has a tapered lead-in.   
     
     
         2 . The screw anchor formed by the steps of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying an anti-corrosion coating to the screw anchor. 
     
     
         3 . The screw anchor formed by the steps of  claim 2 , wherein the anti-corrosion coating is a galvanizing coating. 
     
     
         4 . A method of forming a screw anchor comprising:
 forming an elongated section of tubular steel having open ends and a substantially uniform inside diameter;   attaching a driving coupler to a first end of the elongated section; and   attaching an external thread form to the elongated section of tubular steel, beginning at a first end and terminating at a point along the section, wherein the external thread form has a tapered lead-in.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising dipping the formed screw anchor in an anti-corrosion solution. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the anti-corrosion solution is a galvanizing solution. 
     
     
         7 . A process for forming a component for a solar foundation comprising the steps of:
 forming an elongated section of metal tube, the elongated section having a substantially uniform inside diameter and remaining open at opposing ends;   forming a driving feature at one end of the elongated section;   beginning at an opposing end of the elongated section, forming an external thread form that terminates at a point along the elongated section; and   imparting a tapered lead-in to the external thread form.   
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 7 , further comprising the step of submerging the formed foundation component in a corrosion inhibiting solution. 
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 8 , wherein the corrosion inhibiting solution is a galvanizing solution.